Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“I don’t know, Kian.”
“If you’re uncomfortable staying there, we can get you a blow-up mattress. How does that sound?”
Smiling, I replied, “Okay. Fair enough.”
As we walked up the hill, I turned back and looked at the lake. I scanned the other side and noticed large homes tucked back into the trees. I couldn’t help but wonder which one was Kian’s family home.
The screen door creaked open, and I turned to see Opal coming out with two cups. Kian had said he needed to make a few phone calls for a case back in New York. His friend who had taken over his clients needed answers to a few pressing questions.
“I wasn’t sure if you liked tea or hot chocolate, so I went with the hot chocolate.”
Taking the warm cup, I breathed through my nose and moaned softly. “I haven’t had hot chocolate in years.”
“That’s a crime, Cadie! Why not?”
I shrugged. “Just never think about making it. I like hot tea, though, and make that a lot.”
“I’m a fan of hot tea, but you know that from how much I make it at the bakery.”
A small chuckle slipped free before I sipped the hot chocolate. “Oh, Opal, this is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.”
A wide grin appeared on her face. “Thank you, sweetheart. I make it myself.”
“The hot chocolate?”
She nodded. “It’s so easy. Just confectioners’ sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cardamon, cinnamon, and a hint of…”
She waited to see if I could taste it. I grinned. “Nutmeg.”
Pointing to me, she said, “Yes!”
“Do you use whole milk?”
“I use some powdered milk and add half and half in it.”
“No wonder it’s so good! Do you know what else would make it good? A bit of peppermint, like around Christmas time.”
Opal’s eyes lit with happiness. “I love that idea, Cadie. You are good with flavors. We should think about this during Christmas at the bakery.”
Holding both hands around the warm mug, I smiled. I hated that I wasn’t being honest with Opal. A part of me felt like I was lying to my mother. Opal had hired me nearly on the spot. The only thing she had asked me to do was go into the kitchen and make her something. Anything, but it had to show her I could bake. So I made my grandmother’s banana nut bread, and an oatmeal cinnamon cookie with butterscotch chips and pecans. Opal took one bite of the bread, turned to me, and asked, “Can you start right now?”
I asked for an apron and that was that. I was hired. She asked for references, and I gave her the two fake references that were routed to the guy Randy, my lawyer back in Boston, had set me up with, and he gave me outstanding references. It sucked being deceitful, but I had no choice. It was either a lie to Opal and everyone around me, or a risk of them being in danger if Michael or his father ever found me. I’d take the lie every single time.
“You know, you can trust me, right?”
My heart felt like it dropped to my stomach, and I prayed I hadn’t made any kind of reaction to her statement. I focused on keeping my voice calm and steady. “Of course, I know that.”
She reached for my arm. “Were you in an abusive relationship? Is that why you don’t like to talk about your past?”
I wasn’t about to add a lie on top of a hundred other lies. I placed my hand over Opal’s. “No, I wasn’t. I will admit that the last guy I dated turned out to be someone else entirely, but I wasn’t in an abusive relationship.”
A look of relief washed over her face, and she closed her eyes. “Thank goodness. I hated the idea of someone being cruel to you.”
I told Opal the closest version of the truth that I could. “I came to Moose Village for a fresh start. To put my past behind me and hopefully build a new life. I don’t talk about it because…well…honestly, it doesn’t give me peace. I chose to focus on the future, and instead find that peace I’ve been searching for.”
The corner of her mouth tipped up. “You should come to sunrise yoga with me tomorrow!”
“Um,” I cleared my throat. “Sunrise yoga? In March? I wasn’t aware that you did yoga, and won’t we freeze?”
She chuckled. “It’s held in a little studio down by the lake. There are huge glass windows, so it feels like you’re outside. And I haven’t been in years. Not with the bakery and all. I’m always there before the sun comes up.”
“Who would get things going tomorrow if we’re both at yoga?” I asked.
Opal’s smile instantly faded. “That’s right. I think I should close the bakery one day a week. I’ve been working nearly seven days a week for too many years now.”